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    🏠Home » Recipe Roundups

    Labor Day Recipe Roundup

    Sep 1, 2022 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · 7 Comments

    Time for the great Labor Day Cookout. It has been a great summer for most of us, so let's give it a great send-off with some of the best grilling recipes. Fire up the grill, and let's get started.

    Labor Day graphic with dogs in bows
    Jump To:
    • The Classic BIG THREE of Grilling
    • Easier Grill Recipes
    • Grilling Side Dishes
    • Oven Recipes
    • Pie, Pie, Pie, and Kinda Pie
    • FOOD SAFETY
    • My Bad—A Labor Day Story
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Although it is "labor" day, none of us want to work for our fun. I present for your consideration a few great simple ways to cap off the "traditional" summer season.

    If you get to the end of this post, you will be rewarded with an enjoyable Labor Day story—do you have a Labor Day story?

    The Classic BIG THREE of Grilling

    The classic big three of grilling, all with easy-to-follow photo tutorials.

    Smoked Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill – Not That Hard
    How to smoke pulled pork on a gas grill? Not all of us have smokers. There are a lot of gas grills out there. Shouldn't we have smoked pulled pork too? I say yes. Pulled pork for all, and with a little planning, it is not that hard. Just plan enough time.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill from 101 Cooking for Two
    How to Cook a Brisket on a Gas Grill
    Cook smoked Grilled Brisket low-and-slow on your backyard gas grill—moist and tender meat with crusty bark and a smokey taste. Make classic BBQ brisket without a smoker.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Cooked brisket on a gray board
    How to Grill Baby Back Ribs on a Gas Grill
    Grilled baby back ribs on a gas grill are easy with a few simple steps. Delicious, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone tender BBQ ribs will make you the grill master.
    Check Out This Recipe
    grilled Baby Back Ribs on black cutting board

    Easier Grill Recipes

    OK, maybe you want less work but still world-class results. Here are the easier grill options.

    How to Grill Hamburgers on a Gas Grill
    Learn how easy it is to grill the best juicy burgers on your gas grill. We will cover it all from the choice of meat, seasoning, grill temperature, how long to grill, and final internal temperature.
    Check Out This Recipe
    burger on a bun
    How to Grill Chicken Breasts on a Gas Grill
    Learn how to grill chicken breast on a gas grill. Mastering grilled chicken is easy with a few simple steps. Get perfect tender and juicy chicken breasts every time.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Grilled Chicken Breasts on a blue plate
    Grillied Chicken Drumsticks-Quick and Easy
    Super easy, never fails, grilled chicken legs for the whole family. Pat dry, spice, and cook over medium-high heat. All you need to do is get the grill temperature and the final internal temperature correct. Then you will have crispy legs that both kids and grandma will love.
    Check Out This Recipe
    chicken drumsticks cooking on the grill
    How to Grill Strip Steak on a Gas Grill
    Learn to grill your New York strip steaks to perfection on your grill. The best juice and tender strip steaks are easy with this never-fail recipe that will serve you well for many years.
    Check Out This Recipe
    a strip steak with grill marks on a gray plate
    How to Grill Pork Chops on a Gas Grill
    Get perfect moist and tender Grilled Pork Chops on your gas grill in under 30 minutes. Use boneless or bone-in chops, an optional brine, and season to your taste.
    Check Out This Recipe
    two grilled pork chops on an orange plate
    How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on the Grill
    Learn How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on the Grill that is tender and juicy with these easy step-by-step photo instructions. You can be the grill master, too.
    Check Out This Recipe
    cut ribeye steak on a gray plate

    Grilling Side Dishes

    There is nothing like grilled vegetables or fruits. That extra grill flavor is just outstanding.

    Grilled Mixed Vegetables
    Nothing's better than roasted veggies unless they are grilled. You can easily add them to your grill while you cook dinner. A delicious blend of mixed vegetables cooked on the grill compliments any meal.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Grilled Mixed Vegetables in a white bowl
    Grilled Pineapple Slices with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Glaze
    Glazed grilled pineapple slices are an easy delicious summer side dish. With a buttery caramelized brown sugar glaze, it also makes a great dessert when combined with ice cream—Ready in less than 15 minutes.
    Check Out This Recipe
    close up of Grilled Pineacpple with grill marks on a blue plate
    Grilled Baby Potatoes
    These delicious grilled baby potatoes are crispy and slightly charred. The perfect grilling side dish that is so simple and easy with no precooking, they will become a standard on your grill.
    Check Out This Recipe
    grilled baby potatoes going into a blue bowl
    Grilled Asparagus
    Easy grilled asparagus makes a great side dish for almost any meal. Just follow these simple step by step photo instructions for great results.
    Check Out This Recipe
    asparagus on a white plate with Parmansan

    Oven Recipes

    Not everybody wants to grill, so let's switch focus to the oven.

    Oven Pulled Pork - Low & Slow Pork Butt
    The best pulled pork is baked in the oven for most home cooks. Just a dry rub and bake a pork butt low and slow in your oven. Everybody can have perfectly moist and tender pulled pork with great flavor.
    Check Out This Recipe
    pulled pork sandwich with BBQ sauce
    How to Bake Chicken Breasts in a Convection Oven
    The best way to bake chicken breasts is with your convection oven but you can cook in any oven. Your dinner will be ready in about 30 minutes and will be healthy, moist, and tender every time. Quick and easy with just a few easy secrets any home cook can master.
    Check Out This Recipe
    baked chicken breast on a white plate
    Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak
    Quick and easy, this New York Strip Steak Recipe uses the tried and true sear and oven bake method to get the best steaks every time. Your steaks will be moist, tender, and flavorful.
    Check Out This Recipe
    NY strip steak cut on an orange plate
    Pan Seared Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
    Learn how to cook the best pork tenderloin. A short pan sear in cast iron on the stovetop, then finish cooking in the oven to perfection in less than 30 minutes. You get the best of all worlds, excellent browning with tasty and juicy meat. Plus, it's super easy—sounds like the perfect recipe.
    Check Out This Recipe

    Pie, Pie, Pie, and Kinda Pie

    Your holiday meal desires a great ending that everybody will be talking about.

    Fresh Strawberry Pie with Jell-O®
    Fresh strawberry pie is a wonderful summer treat everybody loves. This easy recipe is made with Jell-O®, a premade pie crust, and fresh strawberries. Make this simple recipe your signature summer dish.
    Check Out This Recipe
    raw pie crust ready for the oven-3
    Blueberry Crumb Pie—Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pie
    This simple blueberry crumb pie is made with a refrigerated crust. It will move pie from an occasional treat to an everyday family favorite dessert. Top with an easy, crispy crumble topping to finish your simplified masterpiece.
    Check Out This Recipe
    slice of bluebeey pie on a white plate
    Easy Homemade Apple Crumb Pie—Quick to Make
    An everyday apple pie you will make over and over for the family. A refrigerated crust takes most of the work out of this homemade pie. Add a few fresh apples and some seasoning, and finish with an easy-to-make crumb topping. And you will be making this pie over and over.
    Check Out This Recipe
    closeup of apple crumb pie
    Small Apple Crisp—Quick & Easy
    Great old-fashioned apple crisp is quick and easy with this classic recipe. A smaller recipe, but it is easily doubled for larger households.
    Check Out This Recipe

    FOOD SAFETY

    Finally, a few food safety reminders—so easy to forget but so important to remember.

    It is up to you to keep your friends and family safe. I see dangerous food handling on TV food shows and other blogs frequently. So know the rules. PLEASE.

    As a start, please review my Summer Food Safety post. Let’s be safe out there. No, Uncle Joe cannot have his burger rare, even though you wouldn’t mind seeing him sick. It is your responsibility to keep them all safe.

    My Bad—A Labor Day Story

    When I first started my private practice 40+ years ago, I started in mid-August, and the other pediatrician went on vacation (his first is over a year) a week later.

    I was left to see patients and make all business decisions. It was the Friday before Labor Day, and I was saying good night to the employees and told them I would see them on Monday. A huge scream went up.

    Them: "No, Tuesday"

    Me: "Monday"

    Them: (very loudly) "Tuesday, Monday is Labor Day."

    Me: "So"

    Them: "It's a holiday."

    Me: "No"

    Them: "YES"

    Me: "A real holiday????  I thought it was like Ground Hog Day or Columbus Day."

    Them: "See you TUESDAY," they all shook their heads as they walked out snickering.

    Me: "hmmm, ok."

    In my defense, I have just come out of years of medical training, working 80 to 100 hours per week. There were two holidays only, the Fourth of July and Christmas, and you got one of them off. All the rest of the days were equal, meaning they were nothing special, and you worked.

    My bad, I guess.

    I put that in to see if anybody got this far. And it is totally true. Even the wording is correct. Who else has a Labor Day story?

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    So relax and enjoy yourself. Grill a hot dog and have some ice cream. Enjoy your family and reflect on the last few years. Be kind to all and be filled with grace.

    Wifo, Molly, Lilly, and DrDan

    photo of Dogs at Work with molly and Lilly
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    Originally Published August 31, 2014. This post is reused yearly but is edited and updated annually. Some comments may be from previous years.

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    1. Janet Gatlin

      September 07, 2020 at 9:22 am

      Happy Labor Day, Dr Dan! Love getting your emails!!
      PS. Glad you let your employees off that first Labor Day 😉

      Reply
    2. Gloria Bates

      September 07, 2020 at 8:56 am

      Have a wonderful and safe Labor Day! I always look forward to your emails, and especially love the doggie pictures :)

      Reply
    3. Fran

      September 06, 2020 at 3:40 pm

      You are such a delight to deal with.....to read your recipes and comments....to see the pix of your precious pets. Many of the recipes are great for me and my husband, but I just enjoy you whether or not the recipe is up our alley. Keep up the good work....you are a bright spot in this world. Here's wishing you and your loved ones --- pets definitely included -- a wonderful and tasty Labor Day! Take care....stay healthy.

      Reply
    4. Jean

      September 01, 2018 at 4:55 pm

      Your the greatest. Please take very good care of yourself you mean a lot to us.
      Happy Labor Day!
      Jean

      Reply
    5. Beverly Barndt

      September 01, 2018 at 11:15 am

      A Happy Labor Day to you also as well! and your little dogs too!

      Reply
    6. Janice

      September 04, 2014 at 5:31 am

      I appreciate all you go through to keep this blog for us!

      Reply
    7. Deborah Zuniga

      September 01, 2014 at 3:21 pm

      Enjoy your recipes and doggie updates! Please notify when new ones post. Thanks!

      Deborah Zuniga / Round Rock, Texas

      Reply

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